Feeding Frenzy (Watty Award Winner)

The fluorescent lights of the Loon Lake University registrar's office hummed, a monotonous drone that matched Tonya's growing frustration. She’d been trying for weeks to swap her third-year physics class for the first-year English course she actually needed. The computer system had rejected her password, phone calls went unanswered, and emails vanished into the void. Aunt Helen's words echoed in her mind: "face-to-face is best."

Ahead of her in the snail-paced line, a girl with striking purple-streaked hair began a bizarre series of poses—hands over head like a gymnast, then on hips like a comic book hero, before conducting an invisible orchestra. Tonya, usually reserved, couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing?"

The girl turned, revealing a heart-shaped face framed by dark, vibrant curls. "I'm claiming my power. You must see this Ted Talk." She held out her phone, a video paused on a woman speaking earnestly. Tonya wasn't interested in the video, but she was fascinated by a girl who could do something so uninhibited in public.

"I'm Tonya."

"Priya," the girl replied, shaking Tonya's hand with a firm, grown-up grip.